Apparatus and method to secure loose clothing items

ABSTRACT

A method to secure the distal end of a belt extending past a buckle device with the portion of the belt encircling a user&#39;s waist, wherein a fixturing apparatus comprising a flexible member comprising a first attachment means and a second attachment means encircles the distal end of the belt.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to an apparatus and method using that apparatus to releaseably secure the portion of a belt extending past the belt buckle to the remaining portion of the belt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It goes without saying that the waist sizes of the people differ. In addition, the waist size of any given person may increase, or decrease, over time. If a person's waist size decreases, then the belts that the person uses may be too long for comfortable use. More specifically, when a belt is comfortable secured around a pair of pants, the portion extending past the belt buckle may be so long that it droops downwardly from the buckle. Such a dangling belt portion may be undesirable.

What is needed is a fixturing apparatus that can releaseably secure such a distal belt portion to the remaining belt such that the distal portion is aligned with that remainder portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes a method to secure the distal end of a belt extending past a buckle device with the remaining portion of the belt encircling a user's waist. The method provides a fixturing apparatus comprising a flexible member comprising a first surface, an opposing second surface, a first end, an opposing second end, a first attachment means disposed on said first surface adjacent said first end, and a second attachment means disposed on said, and secures a pair of pants around a user's waist using a belt comprising a first end, an opposing second end, and a buckle device, such that a distal portion of the belt extends past said buckle device. The method disposes the fixturing apparatus between the belt and the pants, and then releaseably attaches the first attachment means to the second attachment means, such that the fixturing apparatus encircles the distal end of the belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference designators are used to designate like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a belt comprising a first end, a second end, and a buckle device;

FIG. 1B shows the first end of the belt extending through the belt buckle such that a distal end portion of the belt extends past the buckle;

FIG. 2A shows on embodiment of Applicant's fixturing apparatus;

FIG. 2B shows a second embodiment of Applicant's fixturing apparatus;

FIG. 3A shows one step of Applicant's method to use the fixturing apparatus of FIG. 2A to secure the distal end portion of the belt of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3B shows one step of Applicant's method to use the fixturing apparatus of FIG. 2B to secure the distal end portion of the belt of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 4 shows the fixturing apparatus of FIG. 2A securing the distal portion of a belt to the remainder of the belt;

FIG. 5A shows the fixturing apparatus of FIG. 2B securing the distal portion of a belt to the remainder of the belt;

FIG. 5B shows a portable device releaseably attached to the fixturing apparatus of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 summarizes the steps of Applicant's method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention is described in preferred embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numbers represent the same or similar elements. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are recited to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, belt 100 comprises first end 102, second end 104, and buckle device 110. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, buckle device 110 is attached to first end 102 of belt 100. By “buckle device,” Applicant means any kind of device, assembly, or plurality of components that allows second end 104 of belt 100 to be releaseably attached to first end 102 of belt 100. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, belt 100 may be constructed of a variety of materials, including without limitation a fabric, cotton, leather, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1B, second end 104 of belt 100 has been advanced through buckle device 110, such that portion 120 of belt 100 extends past buckle device 110. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, as the waist size of the user's pants varies, and as the length of belt 100 varies, the length of distal portion 120 will vary. Depending on the length of belt 100 and on the waist size of the user, portion 120 may in certain embodiments be sufficiently long such that portion 120 droops downwardly from buckle device 110.

Applicant's apparatus and method provide a mechanism to keep portion 120 in alignment with the corresponding portion 130 of belt 100, wherein belt portion 130 is adjacent to first end 102 and is disposed between first end 102 and second end 104. Referring now to FIG. 2A, embodiment 200 of Applicant's apparatus comprises flexible member 210, wherein member 210 comprises a first surface 212, and opposing surface 214, a first end 216, and an opposing second end 218. In certain embodiments, flexible member 210 is formed from one or more fabric materials. In certain embodiments, flexible member 210 is formed from cotton. In certain embodiments, flexible member 210 is formed from canvas. In certain embodiments, flexible member 210 is formed from plastic. In certain embodiments, flexible member 210 is formed from metal.

In certain embodiments, flexible member 210 comprises a length between about 5 inches and about 6.5 inches. In certain embodiments, flexible member 210 has a width between about 0.5 inches and about 1.5 inches. In certain embodiments, flexible member 210 has a thickness between about 0.1 inches and about 0.25 inches.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2A, first closure means 220 is disposed on first surface 212 adjacent first end 216, and second closure means 230 is disposed on second surface 214 adjacent second end 218.

In certain embodiments, first closure means 220 comprises a plurality of “hook” type fasteners, and second closure means 230 comprises a plurality of “loop” type fasteners, wherein the plurality of hook type fasteners 220 can be releaseably attached to the plurality of loop type fasteners 230. In other embodiments, first closure means 220 comprises a snap and second closure means 230 comprises a snap receiver, wherein snap 220 can be releaseably attached to snap receiver 230.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, embodiment 205 of Applicant's apparatus comprises the elements of embodiment 200 in combination with third closure means 240. In certain embodiments, third closure means 240 comprises a plurality of hoop type fasteners. In certain embodiments, third closure means 240 comprises a plurality of loop type fasteners. In certain embodiments, third closure means 240 comprises a snap. In certain embodiments, third closure means 240 comprises a snap receiver.

Applicant's invention includes a method to releaseably secure belt portion 120 to belt portion 130 using apparatus. In step 610, the method provides a pair of pants, a belt such as belt 100, and Applicant's releasable fixturing apparatus, such as apparatus 200 or 205.

In step 620, the user dons the pants and comfortably secures the belt around his/her waist. In certain embodiments and referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in step 630, the user places member 210 between belt portion 130 and pants exterior 310, such that first closure means 220 faces inwardly and such that second closure means 230 faces outwardly. First end 216 is then moved upwardly to cover both belt portion 120 and belt portion 130.

In step 640 and referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5A, second end 218 of apparatus 200 is moved downwardly to cover both belt portion 120 and belt portion 130, such that second closure means 230 is releaseably attached to first closure means 220. In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5A, belt portion 120 is aligned with, and releaseably attached to, belt portion 130, such that belt portion 120 no longer droops downwardly from buckle device 110.

In step 640, the user determines whether to attach a portable device to Applicant's fixturing apparatus 205 as shown in FIG. 5A. If the user elects in step 650 not to releaseably attach a portable device to Applicant's fixturing apparatus 205, then the method transitions from step 650 to step 670 and ends.

Alternatively, If the user elects in step 650 to releaseably attach a portable device to Applicant's fixturing apparatus 205, then the method transitions from step 650 to step 660 wherein the user releaseably attaches a portable device to the third attachments of fixturing apparatus 205. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5A, third closure means 240 faces outwardly from pants 310. Referring now to FIG. 5B, portable assembly 500 comprises front side 502, rear side 504, and fourth closure means 510 disposed on rear side 504. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5B, fourth closure means 510 is releaseably attached to third closure means 240. In certain embodiments, portable assembly 500 comprises a cellular telephone. In certain embodiments, portable assembly 500 comprises an Internet communication device, such as and without limitation a BLACKBERRY device. In certain embodiments, portable assembly 500 comprises an MP3 music player, such as and without limitation an IPOD device.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A method to secure the distal end of a belt extending past a buckle device with the portion of the belt encircling a user's waist, comprising the steps of: providing a fixturing apparatus comprising a flexible member comprising a first surface, an opposing second surface, a first end, an opposing second end, a first attachment means disposed on said first surface adjacent said first end, and a second attachment means disposed on said; securing a pair of pants using a belt comprising a first end, an opposing second end, and a buckle device, such that a distal portion of the belt extends past said buckle device; disposing said fixturing apparatus between said belt and said pants; releaseably attaching said first attachment means to said second attachment means, such that said fixturing apparatus encircles said distal end of said belt.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first attachment means comprises a plurality of hook-type fasteners, and wherein said second attachment means comprises a plurality of loop-type fasteners.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first attachment means comprises a snap, and wherein said second attachment means comprises a snap receiver.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first attachment means comprises a button, and wherein said second attachment means comprises an aperture.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said flexible member comprises leather.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said flexible member comprises a fabric.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said flexible member comprises plastic.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said flexible member comprises metal.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein: said providing a fixturing apparatus step further comprises providing a fixturing apparatus further comprising a third attachment means disposed on said first surface; said releaseably attaching step comprises releaseably attaching said first attachment means to said second attachment means, such that said fixturing apparatus encircles said distal end of said belt, and such that said third attachment means faces outwardly; said method further comprising the steps of: supplying a portable device comprising a front side, an opposing rear side, and a fourth attachment means disposed on said rear side; releaseably attaching said fourth attachment means to said third attachment means.
 10. The method wherein said portable device comprises a cellular telephone.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein said portable device comprises an Internet communication device.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein said portable device comprises an MP3 music device.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein said third attachment means comprises a plurality of hook-type fasteners, and wherein said fourth attachment means comprises a plurality of loop-type fasteners.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein said third attachment means comprises a snap, and wherein said fourth attachment means comprises a snap receiver.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein said fourth attachment means comprises a button, and wherein said third attachment means comprises an aperture. 